Sarawak debuts Legacy masterplan for business events at IMEX Frankfurt

July 6, 2023

BESarawak 1_640 — Developed by BESarawak, alongside the Sarawak government and consultancy group, GainingEdge, the Legacy MAP details the course of action for the next three years on hosting business events in the state

Developed by BESarawak, alongside the Sarawak government and consultancy group, GainingEdge, the Legacy MAP details the course of action for the next three years on hosting business events in the state

Brought to you by Business Events Sarawak

Hot on the heels of the recent announcement on Sarawak becoming Malaysia and Borneo’s first legacy capital on May 12, the Malaysian state launched the Legacy Impact Master Action Plan (Legacy MAP) 2023-2025 at IMEX Frankfurt in Germany end May.

Developed by Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) alongside the Sarawak government and consultancy group, GainingEdge, to define and drive decisions about hosting business events in the state, the Legacy MAP details the course of action for the next three years.

It also aims to leverage the relationship between business events and legacy impact and optimise it to contribute to Sarawak’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 goals.

With the business events industry being one of the six key priority sectors under tourism in PCDS 2030, the Legacy MAP is designed to support the key outcomes, namely economic prosperity, social inclusion and environmental sustainability, as well as help business event planners create greater value when designing event programmes.

Sarawak will actively seek events that align with PCDS 2030 and prioritise those under the strategy’s six economic sectors (manufacturing, mining, agriculture, forestry, tourism and services) and seven enabling sectors (digital, innovation, education, infrastructure, utilities, transport and renewable energy).

Snowdan Lawan, Sarawak’s deputy minister for tourism, creative industry and performing arts, said: “Legacy impact is Sarawak’s unique value proposition to the world and we believe that this transformative thinking will allow the industry to enjoy greater returns on both objectives and investments.”

The Legacy MAP cements the new narrative that business events can contribute to the five core legacy pillars of sectoral growth, community development, environmental sustainability and good governance on top of economic impact.

A national survey conducted by BESarawak last year indicated that 93 per cent of respondents from Malaysia’s business events industry saw legacy as a positive move to add greater value to business events.

“We have expanded our economic-based business model to include legacy because it is more sustainable as years go by,” said Amelia Roziman, BESarawak, CEO.

“Every stakeholder group in the business events ecosystem has unique areas of interests and influence and the Legacy MAP is going to speak directly to their needs and how they can impact Sarawak’s legacy goals, as well as their event goals. We aim to create value for both sides of the table – business event planners and Sarawak’s local communities.”

Sarawak is well-versed in business events legacies having achieved numerous milestones since 2019. Some included hosting two ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) Congresses twice in four years; launching the Business Events Sarawak Legacy Initiative; creating the world’s first International Journal of Business Events and Legacies; appointing five business events legacy ambassadors under its Business Events Sarawak Legacy Ambassador Programme and now, the Legacy MAP.

Meanwhile, at IMEX Frankfurt, Sarawak also debuted its first standalone pavilion themed Business Events Support Community Development to reflect the destination’s commitment to economic and social development.

Keen to understand how the Sarawak’s Legacy MAP will benefit your business event?
For more information, please contact:
Serena Ong, senior executive for sustainability and legacy impact
serenaong@sarawakcb.com
+6012-887-1229

The power of storytelling

By TTGmice

July 5, 2023

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Visit Maldives Storytellers' Conference 2023

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Event brief
Held from May 30 to June 2, 2023, the Visit Maldives Storytellers’ Conference 2023 saw the gathering of over 70 content creators, journalists, bloggers, and media.

Conference participants were selected through a social media competition – which called on them to showcase their content creation skills by answering the question “What is your dream vacation in the Maldives?” – was held between February 25 and March 27, 2023.

The 50 winners, representing over 20 different nationalities and ethnicities, were selected by a judging panel; it included three Maldivians as well. All won conference invitations, as well as an additional 3D2N trip to eight different regions in the Maldives.

Event highlights
During the conference, participants learnt how to create compelling narratives that showcase the true essence of a destination, through insightful panel discussions, interactive workshops, and networking sessions.

Topics covered include sustainable tourism, responsible travel, cultural preservation, and the power of storytelling to promote destinations, which were presented by influential speakers such as Doug Lansky, Jessica Nabongo, Vikas Swarup, and Eleni Giokos.

The conference also featured pop-up stalls from leading artists in the Maldives, which showcased authentic Maldivian products and the skill of the talented local artisans.

Aside from the conference, participants also took part in breakout sessions to learn about sustainable tourism, and Maldivian culture and heritage.

Held at the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort and Spa, a 30-minute speedboat ride from Crossroads, the sustainable tourism workshop focused on the sustainability efforts, such as coral propagation and coral frame building undertaken by the Maldives tourism industry.

Delegates were able to build frames, participate in a planting session, and learn about the delicate balance of marine ecosystems. And in true Redefining MICE style, participants also got to enjoy a relaxed snorkelling session at the house reef.

At another breakout session on the Atoll Villa Sandbank, participants were given a raucous welcome with boduberu music. There, they learnt about the history of fishing in the Maldives from the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company, and the importance of tuna, a mainstay in Maldivian cuisine. Participants also watch locals showcase traditional fish-filleting skills, took part in a cooking class, and received a special culinary-themed gift basket.

The last of the breakout sessions demonstrated the ancient and peaceful way of Maldivian life in the past, and an ancient form of embroidery weaving (Kasabu Viyun). Participants also watched the retelling of one of the most popular folk stories in the Maldives – the tale of the star-crossed lovers Dhon Hiyala and Alifulhu – and wrote down their wishes on palm leaves and planted them on the shoreline.

A gala dinner was also held, which doubled as an award ceremony for the social media competitions held during the conference day to keep participants actively engaged.

Finally, conference participants were given three days to explore one of eight Maldivian regions – Raa Atoll, Laamu Atoll, Ari Atoll, Vaavu Atoll, Haa Alifu and Haa Dhaalu Atolls, Kaafu Atoll, Addu Atoll, and Fuvahmulah – and showcase the various destinations to their followers.

Challenges
A major challenge was the logistics of bringing together so many individuals from all over the globe, where each spoke their own language, had different expectations of the conference, and brought with them different perspectives. Organisers worked closely with the participants to understand the story they wanted to tell, and crafted the best possible itinerary for them.

It was also a challenge to whittle down the extensive number of activities available in the Maldives, and curate the best into three-day itineraries.

Event Visit Maldives Storytellers’ Conference 2023
Organisers Maldives Marketing & PR Corporation (MMPRC/Visit Maldives)
Venue Crossroads Maldives
Date May 30 to June 2, 2023
Attendance 70 participants from over 20 countries

IHG Hotels & Resorts unveils new MICE campaign

By TTGmice

July 5, 2023

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IHG_Meet_How_You_Meet_640_v1 — IHG launches new MICE campaign

IHG Hotels & Resorts has launched its newest campaign, Meet How You Meet, designed to delight delegates and reward bookers with a suite of exclusive benefits, upgrades and experiences to choose from at participating properties.

Meet How You Meet comprises 121 custom-built offers – subject to a minimum spend – from IHG Hotels & Resorts across South-east Asia, Korea, Japan, and Australasia. The booking period is from now until December 31, 2023, and meetings must be completed by June 30, 2024.

For example, at the InterContinental Bangkok, planners will receive one complimentary Classic Room for every 20 paid rooms (max five rooms per group), one complimentary upgrade to Classic High Floor room for every 20 paid rooms (max five upgrades per group), a complimentary signature welcome beverage on arrival, and triple points for bookers with IHG Business Rewards. The minimum spend is US$6,000.

At the voco Orchard Singapore, planners will receive one complimentary room for every 30 paying rooms materialised (max two rooms to be utilised during event dates), complimentary room upgrade for one VIP, early check-in and late check-out for organiser room (subject to availability), and free flow of soft drinks during lunch. The minimum spend is US$10,000.

Over at the Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay in Vietnam, planners will receive one complimentary room upgrade to a higher room category for every 20 paid rooms throughout the stay, one complimentary room for every 20 paid rooms throughout the stay, complimentary dedicated check-in area with a welcome drink (non-alcoholic) upon arrival, complimentary use of audio and video system for gala dinner in ballroom, and complimentary free flow of soft drinks during lunch for meeting package. The minimum spend is US$5,000.

Shoes are an option at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, where planners will receive one complimentary upgrade for VIP guest for 20 rooms materialised (excludes upgrades to two- and three-bedroom villas), complimentary speedboat transfers for every 20 rooms, welcome drink, and early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability). The minimum spend is US$15,000.

Over in Japan at the Hotel Indigo Karuizawa, planners will receive one complimentary room for every 25 rooms actualised, exclusive use of the outdoor fire pit for reception (subject to weather), and 15 per cent discount on treatments in The Spa by HARNN. The minimum spend is US$10,000.

In Australia, at the InterContinental Hayman Island Resort, planners will receive one complimentary room or suite for every 20 rooms actualised (max four rooms per night), complimentary welcome drinks, and complimentary catamaran transfers to and from Hayman Island. The minimum spend is A$5,000 (US$3,340).

Australian Business Events Association kicks off, releases 90-Day Plan

By TTGmice

July 5, 2023

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The Australian Business Events Association (ABEA) officially kicked off on July 3, 2023, and has released its first 90-Day Plan to mark the occasion.

The 90-Day Plan provides a detailed short-term roadmap for the Association to quickly bring to life its five core pillars of industry development, community, research, professional development, and advocacy.

The plan also outlines the appointment of a CEO – expected by the end of July – the establishment of the State and Territory Chapters, its chairs and committee members, and the filling of the Board of Director positions.

Chair of the Board, Peter King, said the decision to make ABEA’s plan public is driven by the new Association’s commitment to providing tangible benefits to members.

“We’ve had plenty of time to gain clarity over what will benefit our members and the industry most. We understand that a new Association needs to prove its worth to its people, and we are confident not only in what we are offering, but in our ability to deliver it. Our longer-term plans are also in play, however, the way we start this new entity is key for its future success,” said King.

ABEA has already run member events in Sydney and Melbourne and will continue the roadshow in Adelaide (July 13), Perth (July 20), Darwin (July 27), and Brisbane (July 31). Over the ensuing months, ABEA will host events in other cities and regional areas.

In addition, Special Interest Groups will be held, covering the areas of sustainability, emerging leaders, workplace health and safety, and education.

Addressing the Association’s advocacy targets, an Advocacy Framework is being established to identify key stakeholders within government and industry, reinforcing existing relationships, and creating new partnerships. Research goals will also be addressed through engagement with the A$2 billion (US$1.3 billion) business events research project achieved and further consultation.

Existing members of EEAA, AACB and ACCG are currently being transferred to the new Association. All event industry businesses are invited to visit ABEA’s website at abea.org.au for full membership benefits and options.

The Langham, Gold Coast

By Rachel AJ Lee

July 5, 2023

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The Langham, Gold Coast

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Rooms
Upon opening the door to the space that I would call home for four nights, I was stunned beyond words. I was expecting a hotel room, but arriving early in the morning snagged me a One-Bedroom Skyline Hinterland Residence instead. In total, The Langham, Gold Coast offers 169 hotel rooms and 170 residences.

‌I made my way immediately to the living room as I looked out in awe at the sweeping views of the city and the hinterland, thanks to an entire wall of floor-to-ceiling windows. There was also a balcony, where I could watch the sunset dip languidly over the horizon. The living and dining space featured a TV, comfortable cream-coloured couch and coffee table, as well as a round table with four chairs. I wasn’t short of a perch, and these two areas doubled up as my working spaces. Free Wi-Fi is also provided throughout the property.

Within my luxurious residence was also a full-sized kitchen, anchored by a marble-top kitchen island. There was also a full-sized fridge, oven, as well as all the necessary utensils and appliances required for whipping up meals.

In comparison to the living and dining area that is flooded in natural light, my bedroom was a mellow and calm space. The bed and pillows were extremely comfortable, and they felt like a warm hug when I crawled into bed every night. My alarm clock, which also had USB ports, also doubled up as a wireless phone charger. I also enjoyed having a walk-in closet, which had ample space to lay my large suitcase across.

‌The bathroom was sleek, and offered both a rainshower and hand-held shower. Premium diptyque-branded shower gel, conditioner, and shampoo were provided in large refillable bottles, while other toiletries were wrapped in cardboard in a nod towards sustainability. Complimentary drinking water also came in recyclable stainless steel bottles.

The residence was also furnished with a washer and dryer, which was a boon for longer-staying business travellers, and their partners or families. In my case, I was on a work trip for two weeks and being able to conveniently wash and iron my business attire was a lifesaver.

MICE facilities
The Langham, Gold Coast offers 11 event venues across 1,198m² of space. Its largest space is 618m² on the ground floor just across from the lobby, which can take up to 400 pax banquet-style, and comes with a pre-function foyer that faces the lagoon pool.

The Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, where the Australian Tourism Exchange 2023 was held, was less than a 10-minute drive away.‌

Other facilities
The property provides several dining options, which range from Palm Court, home of the iconic Langham Afternoon Tea, to T’ang Court which serves up Cantonese fine dining. Fun fact: Its sister property, The Langham, Hong Kong, also boasts a T’ang Court, which has garnered three-Michelin stars.

‌The only eatery I tried during my stay was Akoya, which overlooks the beach and miles of Gold Coast’s beautiful coastline. I enjoyed putting together my own breakfast every morning from the smorgasbord of buffet dishes available, which ranges from a comforting bowl of plain porridge garnished with spring onions and fried shallots, to delightful eggs benedict drizzled with house-made hollandaise sauce.‌

As for recreational facilities, there are two pools available for guests – a sand-edged lagoon pool and swim-up bar on the ground floor facing the Pacific Ocean, and an indoor magnesium pool on the second floor.

Also located on the second floor is a fitness studio, multipurpose room for yoga, pilates and meditation, as well as the Chuan Spa offering myriad treatments themed around the elements of earth, fire, wind and water.‌

Pacific Fair, the largest regional shopping centre in Queensland with more than 400 stores, is also less than a 10-minute Uber ride away.‌

Service
As far as first impressions went, I immediately noticed that both the lobby and concierge staff were impeccably tailored and exuded an air of elegance, as I blearily stumbled into the airy lobby after arriving on a red-eye flight.

Verdict
I loved that The Langham, Gold Coast, was truly on Gold Coast’s magnificent beachfront. To get to the beach, I just had to walk out of the gate, cross a boardwalk, and I was able to feel the sand between my toes in under a minute.

‌Before making my way to the buffet breakfast at Akoya every morning, I made the extra effort to go for a morning stroll along the beach despite a jam-packed schedule. Somehow the crisp, salty ocean air just hits different – it energises me. Similarly, The Langham, Gold Coast’s luxurious, modern skyscrapers bring a revitalising and welcome jolt of new energy into the area.‌

Contact details
langhamhotels.com/en/the-langham/gold-coast/

Rotorua to host MEETINGS 2024

By TTGmice

July 5, 2023

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Rotorua has been named the host city for New Zealand’s 28^th national business events showcase, MEETINGS, which will be held at the Energy Events Centre on June 19-20, 2024.

Business Events Industry Aotearoa’s (BEIA) chief executive, Lisa Hopkins, said that next year’s MEETINGS will feature another part of New Zealand’s rich events tapestry, and the beating heart of the country’s visitor economy.

“Rotorua is a magnificent city, the birthplace of the visitor economy for New Zealand, where business events, tourism and hospitality hold a sacred place. Voted Best Regional Stand at MEETINGS 2023, Rotorua is trending as one of New Zealand’s hottest destinations.

“Our intent is to amplify the taonga (cultural treasures) of the city by bringing MEETINGS back to where it all began for New Zealand tourism.

Andrew Wilson, chief executive of RotoruaNZ says the region is excited to be welcoming exhibitors and buyers from across New Zealand and the world to MEETINGS 2024 in June next year.

“This is a huge honour, and we can’t wait to welcome our industry peers to experience all that our destination has to offer. Recent investment into some of our signature spaces, such as the Sir Howard Morrison Centre and the Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa, makes Rotorua the ideal place to mix business with pleasure and we look forward to sharing our home and our manaakitanga with buyers and sellers alike. It’s important that manuhiri (visitors) not only get to experience New Zealand’s magnificent major cities, but also immerse themselves in a region which built its reputation on manaakitanga when tourism first began in this country.”

MEETINGS has been well supported by the major hotel groups in Rotorua, as well as local iwi who will play a pivotal role during the event. Rotorua has hosted a number of large, high-profile events at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre, as well as at the Sir Howard Morrison Centre.

MEETINGS was last held in Rotorua in 2011.

Wellington’s hefty fund for science city development boosts city’s meetings potential

By Karen Yue

July 5, 2023

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Life_Sciences_Summit_640 — BioTechNZ held its Life Sciences Summit in Wellington in March, drawing almost 400 attendees, 63 speakers, 26 exhibitors, and 30 sponsors across two days

The New Zealand government’s recent decision to set aside NZ$450 million (US$279.4 million) in funding to make Wellington a “centre of research, science and innovation” has put more power behind Business Events Wellington’s ongoing push to attract and grow science and technology meetings and events in the capital city.

The funding supports plans that were unveiled last year to “make Wellington a vibrant, resilient, and adaptable centre of research, science and innovation before 2030”, according to the proposal published by the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment.

BioTechNZ held its Life Sciences Summit in Wellington in March, drawing almost 400 attendees, 63 speakers, 26 exhibitors, and 30 sponsors across two days

News reports in May detailed that the plans would include the establishment of three new research hubs in the city, each with a different area of focus.

At present, the capital region already has a strong establishment of research centres. Data collected in 2022 showed that the Wellington region had 165 business units in the Scientific Research Services sector, and accounted for 20.2 per cent of national employment in the Scientific Research Services sector (10.6 per cent of the population).

Irette Ferreira, manager at Business Events Wellington, told TTGmice that the new funding would immediately gift Wellington a reputation of being “a place of opportunity if you are in science and innovation”.

“With the government’s investment, even more people – both locals and those from abroad – will be encouraged to join the scientific fields,” she added.

She believes that foreign experts will bring their global connections with them, particularly with international associations, which will in turn help Wellington to attract global conferences in their fields. These events will then provide the platform for New Zealand researchers to present their work, attract investors that will fund further studies and attract even more experts in the field to Wellington.

Business Events Wellington has seen recent successes in courting meetings in the fields of research, science and innovation, with the latest victory being BioTechNZ’s Life Sciences Summit held earlier in March.

The Summit is part of a multi-year partnership to anchor the conference in Wellington and grow the country’s promising biotech sector. Its inaugural edition in 2023 attracted almost 400 attendees, 63 speakers, 26 exhibitors, and 30 sponsors across two days.

In reviewing host city Wellington, BioTechNZ’s executive director Zahra Champion said: “Wellington is perfect as a conference destination – the city has all the ingredients, from the diverse groups of people to attend, plus government, and it’s just an easy place to move around.

“With the government based in Wellington, alongside other sectors of strength, it was also easy to bring speakers in – Callaghan Innovation and Victoria University of Wellington were fantastic to work with, and the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research helped create content, pulling a number of their speakers together which added integrity to the content.”

Business Events Wellington’s work is supported by funding that allows the office to incentivise valuable international conferences to come to Wellington. It is also working with Wellington City Council to identify and grow local conferences that are in a sector of interest.

Besides BioTechNZ’s Life Sciences Summit, this approach has also yielded a multi-year contract in 2021 with the New Zealand Game Developers Association to anchor its New Zealand Game Developers Conference in Wellington and to expand the event by incorporating film, screen and interactive media sectors alongside its traditional gaming content.

“These are just some of the things we’ve been doing with the new Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre in mind, so that the new convention centre is supported by a stream of valuable events,” said David Perks, general manager – Tākina commercial development, Wellington City Council.

GBTA expands APAC presence with new advisory board

By TTGmice

July 5, 2023

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The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) has established a new regional GBTA Advisory Board in Asia Pacific, which aims to enhance GBTA’s presence and growth by engaging local guidance and expertise to best serve members and partners in the region.

Peter Koh, executive director, head of APAC integrated travel and expense for Goldman Sachs, will serve as chairperson of the 12-member Board made up of cross-regional business travel leaders from top organisations:

Koreen Barbara, global travel manager, McDonalds
John Holden, regional lead / global strategic sourcing APJ, Workday
Carl Jones, former managing director, Southeast Asia, SAP Concur
Jonathan Kao, managing director – Greater China, BCD Travel
Amarnath Lal Das, vice president – India travel meetings and events, Accenture Solutions
Ewan Lin, travel operations manager APAC / global category lead (Hotels), Johnson & Johnson
Michelle Low, global vice president of supply chain, Synergy Global Housing
Mike Orchard, principal consultant, lead of product development and analytics center of excellence, Festive Road
Bertrand Saillet, managing director, FCM Travel Solutions Asia
Timothy Tan, senior vice president global corporate travel management, UOB Bank
Nichola Winchester, Asia-Pacific travel, meetings and events leader / global corporate card leader, EY

GBTA has also appointed business travel industry veteran, Maura Geertsma, as its interim regional director for APAC. She will report to Catherine Logan, GBTA’s regional senior vice president for EMEA and APAC.

“The new Board brings together many expert and diverse voices across the region. Their insights and industry experience will help GBTA be able to optimally serve the APAC region through the development of tailored programmes and offerings for business travel buyers, suppliers, and companies in the region,” said Logan.

Logan added that GBTA is focused on serving the unique needs and interests of APAC through a longer-term regional strategy, as well as with nearer-term initiatives such as the upcoming GBTA APAC Conference 2023, taking place September 19-20 at the Shangri-La Singapore.

Anjali Chandra helms as president of Travel Corporation Asia

By TTGmice

July 4, 2023

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Anjali Chandra has been promoted to the position of president, Travel Corporation Asia (TCA).

In her new role, Chandra will assume responsibility for the TCA brand, while maintaining her role as managing director of global groups at The Travel Corporation (TTC).

Chandra has 23 years tenure with TTC, initially managing the Australian Groups Desk for Insight Vacations for many years before taking on her elevated global groups role based out of London in 2014.

Former Pacific World Nusantara MD passes away

By Mimi Hudoyo

July 4, 2023

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The Indonesian tourism and business events industries have lost one of its well-respected veteran players with the passing of Ida Bagus Lolec on July 1 (Saturday) in Bali.

He was the former managing director of Pacific World Nusantara.

Lolec used to be actively present at international events and as a speaker at various national and international forums, representing both his company and as a board member of the Indonesia Congress and Convention Association.

He passed away at age 74, leaving behind his wife, three children and 13 grandchildren. His body is laid in state on Jalan Thamrin Gg1/No 10A, Denpasar, Bali and a Balinese pelebon (cremation) ceremony will be held on July 10 in Bali.

Sarawak debuts Legacy masterplan for business events at IMEX Frankfurt

The power of storytelling

IHG Hotels & Resorts unveils new MICE campaign

Australian Business Events Association kicks off, releases 90-Day Plan

The Langham, Gold Coast

Rotorua to host MEETINGS 2024

Wellington’s hefty fund for science city development boosts city’s meetings potential

GBTA expands APAC presence with new advisory board

Anjali Chandra helms as president of Travel Corporation Asia

Former Pacific World Nusantara MD passes away

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